Rise of the Islamic Caliphates - Key Concepts (Flashcards)

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Rise of the Islamic Caliphates lecture notes, including Muhammad, the Pillars, Rashidun, Umayyad, and Abbasid caliphates, their policies, architecture, and legacies.

Where was Muhammad born and in what kind of society?

He was born into a tribal society in what is now Saudi Arabia.

Which important city did Islam rely on for trade and religion?

Mecca.

Muhammad claimed to receive a revelation from whom?

The Archangel Gabriel.

Islam proclaims there is how many gods and what is Muhammad's role?

There is only one God, and Muhammad is His prophet/messenger.

How is Muhammad connected to the Abrahamic tradition?

He is connected with the previous prophets in the Abrahamic tradition.

Name the Five Pillars of Islam.

Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

What is Shahada?

The declaration of faith in Islam.

What is Salat?

Prayer performed by Muslims.

What is Zakat?

Almsgiving; a required charitable contribution.

What is Sawm?

Fasting, especially during Ramadan.

What is Hajj?

Pilgrimage to Mecca that should be undertaken at least once if able.

What persecution did early Muslims face in Mecca?

Persecution by the polytheistic Meccan society.

What does Hijrah refer to?

Muhammad's migration of his followers from Mecca to Medina.

What happened to Mecca after the Hijrah?

Muslims later took back Mecca and transformed the pagan altar into a holy Islamic site.

By Muhammad's death, what had happened in the Arabian Peninsula?

Most of the peninsula had converted to Islam.

What is the Quran?

The word of God; the sacred text and basis of Islamic law.

What happened after Muhammad's death regarding leadership?

A new leader (Caliph) was needed since there were no more prophets.

Who are Caliphs?

Leaders of the Muslim community; dynasties are called Caliphates.

What caused the first succession after Muhammad to be contested?

Disagreements over who should lead the Muslim community after Muhammad.

Who are the Sunnis and who do they follow?

Sunni follow Abu Bakr as the first Caliph.

Who are the Shia and who do they follow?

Shia follow Ali as the rightful successor.

Who was the first Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate?

Abu Bakr.

When did the Rashidun Caliphate exist?

632–661 CE.

What characterizes the Rashidun Caliphate?

Rapid military expansion; conquest of Northern Africa and Western Asia.

How many of the four Rashidun caliphs were assassinated?

Three.

Who was the last Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate?

Ali.

What is a ‘Fitna’ in this context?

A period of internal strife and civil war.

Who became the first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate?

Mu’awiyah.

What marks the transition from Rashidun to Umayyad Caliphate?

Ali’s assassination and the end of the Rashidun era leading to Umayyad rule.

What is Mu’awiyah’s major achievement for the Umayyads?

Reunited the Islamic community and moved the administrative center to Syria.

Which empire did the Umayyads repeatedly clash with and push into?

The Byzantine Empire; expanded into Persia, North Africa, and Spain.

Under which caliph did the Umayyads reach the height of power?

Al-Walid I.

Name two major architectural works of the Umayyads.

The Great Mosque at Damascus and the Dome of the Rock.

Where is the Dome of the Rock located and what is its significance?

Jerusalem; on the site of Solomon’s Temple; believed to be where Muhammad ascended.

What is distinctive about early Islamic architectural style?

A style devoid of human figures due to the Islamic taboo on figural representation and idolatry.

What period is known as the Islamic Golden Age?

The Abbasid Caliphate era (roughly 750–1258 CE) marked by preservation and advancement of knowledge.

Where was the Abbasid capital founded?

Baghdad, Iraq.

What was a major Abbasid contribution to knowledge?

Centers translated the world’s knowledge into Arabic and preserved learning after Rome’s fall.

Name a famous Abbasid literary work.

The 1001 Arabian Nights.

What scientific advances occurred under the Abbasids?

Advances in algebra and medicine.

How did Abbasids influence language and religious status?

Standardized Arabic as the language of the Caliphate; Jews and Christians were accepted as dhimmis.

What was the status of women under the Abbasids?

Women became less active in society.

Where was the Abbasid capital located?

Baghdad, Iraq.